IllustrationThe paint flaking easily electrical poor in vehicle car seats ripping apart easily Doors handles interior braking apart easily
2013 Chevrolet Suburban
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Suburban do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 118.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
1725–50K
2350–75K
1275–100K
12100–150K
4150K+
80 reports with mileage · 38 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
14 reportsI had to do two engine jobs in one year because oil pressure sensor switch keeps going off due to poor electrical in the vehicle I also had to buy oil pressure pump
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC DOORS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THAT THE HOME SCREEN WOUL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES WOULD INTERMITTENTLY OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC DOORS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY LOCK AND UNLOCK, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THAT THE HOME SCREEN WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF. ONCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, MANUALLY SHIFT THE BATTERY CABLES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO CONTACTED THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS, GOLD RUSH CHEVROLET (570 GRASS VALLEY HWY, AUBURN, CA 95603), JOHN L SULLIVAN CHEVROLET (350 AUTOMALL DR, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661) AND WINNER CHEVROLET (1624 S CANYON WAY, COLFAX, CA 95713), ALL OF WHOM STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM MESSAGE WOULD BE DISPLAYED AND THE STABILITY CONTROL WOULD TURN OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STREET OR HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE STALLED RANDOMLY AND ALL THE GAUGES TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TWICE. AT TIMES THERE WOULD BE NO POWER WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE, BUT IF YOU COM…
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SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM MESSAGE WOULD BE DISPLAYED AND THE STABILITY CONTROL WOULD TURN OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STREET OR HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE STALLED RANDOMLY AND ALL THE GAUGES TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TWICE. AT TIMES THERE WOULD BE NO POWER WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE, BUT IF YOU COME BACK LATER IT COULD START RIGHT UP. IT SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V614000, BUT THAT RECALL DOESN'T COME UP UNDER MY VIN ON THIS SITE OR ON THE DEALERS SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CHASSIS ELECTRONIC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. MUNDAY CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 17800 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090, (281) 397-8600) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
ON 12/08/2018, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION ON STREET PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN THE DASBOARD AND ENTIRE ELECTRONICAL STARTS TO SHUT DOWN AND TRUCK STARTS JURKING LOSING MORE POWER. THEN THE TRACTION AND STABILIZERS ARE DEACTIVATED. AFTER THE TRUCK IS PARK IT WILL NOT REMOTE START OR START…
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ON 12/08/2018, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN MOTION ON STREET PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN THE DASBOARD AND ENTIRE ELECTRONICAL STARTS TO SHUT DOWN AND TRUCK STARTS JURKING LOSING MORE POWER. THEN THE TRACTION AND STABILIZERS ARE DEACTIVATED. AFTER THE TRUCK IS PARK IT WILL NOT REMOTE START OR START WITH THE KEY UNTIL AFTER A COUPLE OF HOURS. THE A/C DEACTIVATED WITH A MESSAGE SAYING THAT THE ENGINE IS TO HOT. THE PROBLEMS STARTED BACK IN 06/2018 HAPPEN ON A FREQUENCY OF 3 TO 4 TIMES A MONTH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE DOORS BEGAN TO LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT REACHED HIS DESTINATION AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BASIL CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 5111 TRANSIT RD, DEPEW, NY 14043, (716) 683-6800)…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE DOORS BEGAN TO LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT REACHED HIS DESTINATION AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BASIL CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 5111 TRANSIT RD, DEPEW, NY 14043, (716) 683-6800) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TAKATA RECALL, REAR ACCESS HATCH KEEPS OPENING BY ITSELF. RELEASES WHEN PARKED OR ON START UP OF VEHICLE. AFTER CLOSING MANUALLY IT OPENS ON ITS OWN REPEATEDLY. KEY DOESNT HAVE TO BE IN IGNITION FOR THE HATCH TO OPEN ON ITS OWN
ENGINE DIED ON HIGHWAY LOST ALL POWER AND NO STEERING. WAS TOLD BY DEALER IT WAS A BAD NEG BATTERY CABLE. IT IS SHOCKING THAT A BAD BATTERY CABLE CAN CAUSE A DEADLY SITUATION. CERTAINLY SOMEONE WILL DIE FROM THIS DEFECT IF THEY HAVENT ALREADY. DEALER CLAIMED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND IT HAPPENED ONLY A FEW MILES AFTER I PICKED U…
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ENGINE DIED ON HIGHWAY LOST ALL POWER AND NO STEERING. WAS TOLD BY DEALER IT WAS A BAD NEG BATTERY CABLE. IT IS SHOCKING THAT A BAD BATTERY CABLE CAN CAUSE A DEADLY SITUATION. CERTAINLY SOMEONE WILL DIE FROM THIS DEFECT IF THEY HAVENT ALREADY. DEALER CLAIMED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND IT HAPPENED ONLY A FEW MILES AFTER I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. ERROR CODE WAS P0601. THEY HAVE THE CAR FOR REPAIR AGAIN, BUT I REFUSE TO EVERY DRIVE THE DEATH TRAP. I HAVE HAD 20 SUBURBANS AND I HOPE THIS IS AN ISOLATED DEFECT NOT ONE THAT AFFECTS ALL SUBURBANS. THIS DEFECT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. SOMEONE WILL CERTAINLY DIE FROM THIS DEFECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY FLASH OFF AND ON AND THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT OPERATE. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HAMPTON …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY FLASH OFF AND ON AND THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT OPERATE. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HAMPTON CHEVROLET LOCATED IN HAMPTON VIRGINIA WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CHASSIS ELECTRONIC MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Official recalls
421V053000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.
21V054000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Feb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
14V614000 · Electrical System
Oct 1, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GMs number for this recall is 14515.
13V001000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
Jan 2, 2013
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
Consequence: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
Steering:column LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT Device
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
Consequence: As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.